You must not be discriminated against in access to housing regardless of whether it is provided by the state, a municipality or a private provider.
Discrimination in access to state and municipal housing in Croatia is prohibited on any grounds.
important Providers of private housing are bound by the prohibition of discrimination only if they are service providers and if consumer protection law applies to them. For example, where someone rents out houses or apartments as a business.
Discrimination in providing access to housing may include cases where a service provider refuses to rent out a house or apartment, makes degrading or insulting remarks or offers you different terms in the contract, such as a higher price just because you belong to a group of people with certain characteristics.
example Discrimination may occur where a landlord refuses to rent an apartment to a person just because he/she is black or belongs to a sexual minority, such as homosexuals.
However, different treatment in the choice of tenants is allowed if housing is provided privately and not as a part of business.
example It will not be considered discrimination where an elderly lady feels more comfortable and wants to rent out a room in her apartment to a female student.
Croatian law explicitly prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sex or gender, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, age, disability and other grounds in providing access to housing. In certain cases, housing may be provided to a specific type of client by applying the exception of genuine requirement.
What human rights violation may there be?
The prohibition of discrimination will be violated if you are denied housing or offered individual, more disadvantageous terms in a contract only because you possess certain characteristics which are recognized as prohibited grounds, such as age, religion or race.
How to complain
Anyone who thinks they have been discriminated against has several options:
- file a complaint with the general Ombudsperson - if the basis of discrimination is race or ethnicity or skin color, language, religion, political or other belief, national or social origin, property status, membership in a trade union, education, social position, age, state of health and/or or genetic inheritance
- appeal to special ombudspersons with a complaint, if it is a matter of their jurisdiction
- seek free legal assistance
- consult with a lawyer of your choice
- address the court
Read more about how to complain.